Another Maoist couple surrenders in Bengal

West Midnapore (West Bengal), Feb 7 (IANS) A Maoist couple Tuesday surrendered before the police in West Bengal, becoming the third pair to do so since the Mamata Banerjee-led government come to power.

'Chiranjit Mahato alias Nirmal Mahato and his wife Anima Mahato, both in their 30s, surrendered before us today (Tuesday). We are processing the formalities to provide them the rehabilitation package as promised by the government,' West Midnapore Superintendent of Police (SP) Pravin Tripathi told IANS.

While Chiranjit was the area commander in Salboni area of the district, Anima served as a member of his squad, added Tripathi.

Earlier, Durjodhan Rajwar along with spouse Akri Sahis surrendered at the Purulia SP office Nov 6, while Jagori Baskey and Rajaram Soren had surrendered at the state secretariat Writers' Buildings Nov 17 last year.

Banerjee had earlier revised the surrender -cum-rehabilitation package for the rebels providing a monthly stipend of Rs.2,000 for a period of three years, along with a fixed deposit of Rs.1.5 lakh.

'Our first priority is to ensure security to those who have surrendered. They will also be given vocational training based on their skills,' Gangeshwar Singh IGP Western Range said.

So far 16 Maoists from the Junglemahal (the forested stretches of western parts of the state where the rebels have a stronghold) have surrendered before the police after the Trinamool Congress led alliance came to power in May.

Four of them had surrendered before Banerjee at an event in Jan 12 when she was on a visit to Junglemahal.